Former Chinese Defence Ministers Given Suspended Death Sentences for Corruption

Two former Chinese defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, have been handed suspended death sentences by a Chinese military court over corruption charges, according to reports by BBC News on Thursday.

According to China’s state news agency Xinhua News Agency, both men were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. Under Chinese law, such sentences are typically commuted to life imprisonment after two years if no further crimes are committed. However, the court stated that neither former minister would be eligible for sentence reductions or parole.

The court also ordered the confiscation of all their personal assets after finding them guilty of accepting bribes.

The verdict comes amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign within China’s military establishment, during which several senior military officials have recently been removed from office.

According to BBC reports, Wei Fenghe served as China’s defence minister from 2018 to 2023. He was replaced in March 2023 by Li Shangfu, whose tenure proved short-lived.

Li disappeared from public view in August 2023, triggering speculation about his removal. He was officially dismissed from office in October that year.

News agency Reuters previously reported, citing Xinhua, that Li Shangfu was accused of accepting large sums in bribes and offering bribes to others. Investigators also alleged that he failed to properly fulfill his political responsibilities and abused his authority for personal gain and to benefit associates.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Wei Fenghe, launched in 2023, found that he had accepted large amounts of money and valuable gifts as bribes and had provided illegal advantages to others in appointments and promotions.

In February, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly commented on the anti-corruption campaign, during which another top military official, Zhang Youxia, was also reportedly removed from his position.

Xi said the military had undergone a “revolutionary-style purification” through the anti-corruption drive.

Since taking power, Xi Jinping has consistently pursued anti-corruption campaigns across China. Critics, however, have accused him of also using the campaign to sideline political rivals.